Cite AsNew York Harbor Hospital Creative Arts Program Collection, Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History
SummaryDrawing of man in boat, chains, poem and other text. Artwork made for project: Battle after the battle, 2013. Project was a collaboration of creative arts therapist Beryl Brenner with VA NYHHS psychologist Dr. Yasmeen Yamini-Benjamin and Kingsborough Community College recreation therapy intern Shawnese Marriott and focused on coping with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). Exhibition label: The rest of me: the cautious mind, S. I. Ed Castillo, drawing and collage, 2013. Poem: I beg to you to break these chains that haunt my mind; can you hear me? / The war for me is over physically, but in my mind I still live it. It’s like half of me is home; but half stood behind./ I beg break these chains in my mind that haunt me and confuse my feelings day by day./ My sleep is little and my nights are long./ Is the sun really shining on one side of the earth while the moon sleeps? I don’t know! Statement: I say me first then my family, then the rest. But how confused I am. And I still beg ask, break these chains. Why did I do it and felt proud for a little bit. Now how do I get myself out of this three-headed world. My body is full of pain; the outer shell covers my wounds inside. My mind changes like the sound of the ocean battling against the wind. Are the heavens so far that I can’t be heard or is Freedom really at the golden gate. The war maybe over, but the pain lives on. Yes! I am a beggar, begging for the freedom in my mind. Give me back me and these chains away. Amen.
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Copyright OwnerNew York Harbor Hospital Creative Arts Program